Is CDP only an instrument to obtain Central funds?

MARGAO, JULY 13
Is the controversial City Development Plan (CDP) only an instrument to obtain central funds under the JNNRUM scheme to fund infrastructure in the Commercial Capital?
While, sources in the know, has asserted that CDP is not a pre-condition to receive central funds for funding city’s infrastructure, Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat says the CDP is prepared by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) only to get central funds to fund the JNNRUM schemes in Margao city.
The Chief Minister offered his comment when Herald asked him about the CDP which seeks to freeze all further development in the city. “There is no question of freezing development in the city”, the Chief Minister asserted. In fact, he went to the extent of saying that the CDP is not a planning document and is being prepared by architect Rahul Deshpande only with the sole purpose of obtaining central funds.
Kamat went on to add that the CDP has got nothing to do with the planning requirements of the Commercial Capital. “The Town and Country Planning department is involved in meeting the planning needs of the city. The government has even asked the towns to prepare the Comprehensive Development Plan within the next three months”, he said.
But, when pointed out the City Development Plans has clearly mooted a freeze in development in the existing city by proposing a new business hub in the Ambaji-Davondem area, Kamat said “the proposal for the new business hub can be incorporated in the city plan, but the CDP is prepared only to get the central funds”.
Incidentally, Herald inquires have revealed that the CDP has clearly pointed out that the city can receive central funds on a pre-condition that the Margao Municipal council takes up administrative reforms before hoping to get the central funds. The Administrative Reforms includes devolving all powers and functions to the civic bodies under the 74th Amendment to the Constitution.
The CDP displayed at the Margao Municipal hall since Monday – seven days after the Margao Civic body kept open the plan for suggestions and objections from Madgavkars – has evoked interest from the citizens as the plan proposes to freeze all development in the city and creation of a new business hub at the northern entrance to the city.
Meanwhile, Margao Municipal Chief Officer Y B Tawde has said the Civic body is considering extending the 15 day period set to invite suggestions and objections since the plan was not displayed in the civic body for the last seven days. The Civic body had earlier set July 19 as the last date for the citizens to lodge their objections and suggestions.
Sadly, though the CDP will be placed before the Council for its final approval, most of the City Fathers are totally unaware of the features or the implications of the plan on the common man, especially the question of freezing development in the city, and appears bracing up to give their stamp of approval to the plan to satisfy their political masters with the Municipal polls around.